"The fairgrounds are
used on a year-round basis," Blagojevich noted. "It's important that
we constantly maintain and improve them to keep them attractive
places to stage non-fair events as well."
The improvements are
being paid for out the Capital Development Board's budget and
include:
--$958,875 to
renovate comfort stations on the Springfield fairgrounds, including
making them accessible according to the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
--$717,500 to replace
roofs on the Coliseum and Exposition buildings on the Springfield
fairgrounds.
--$1,005,163 million
for renovations on the grandstand at the Springfield fairgrounds.
"Every year, we have to make sure the
grounds are properly maintained or we will end up paying more in the
long run," said state Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke. "Not only
are we gradually making everything on the grounds more accessible,
but we're also making the energy infrastructure more efficient."
[State news release]
